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UNITED STATES OF AMEBIC A. 



THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 




Seest thou my home ? 'Tis where you woods are wavin» 



THE 



3lI)£ Songs of (Sctrtl). 



"Lo these are parts of His ways, but how small a 
portion is heard of Him." — Job. 

"For the invisible things of Him from the creation 
of the world are clearly seen, being' understood by 
the things that are made." — St Paul. 



WRITTEN FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, 
AND REVISED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION. 




BOSTON: 

MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, 
Depository No. 13 Cornhill. 

1845. 



■TS«< 
.AITS'" 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1845, 

By CHRISTOPHER O. DEAN, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 



D "3 9"^ 



PREFACE. 



In offering this little book, I would say a few 
words in regard to its design and aim. Nature, a 
teacher that is ever before us, has many lessons 
which we have usually considered of too high an 
order to be given to children. But it is only when 
we look at creation in its grandeur that we need 
think so. She has many plain and simple lessons, 
and she is too useful and beautiful a teacher to be 
neglected. 

I have tried to select the smallest every-day things 

from which to draw instruction, and at the same time 

have aimed at an evident and clear moral. In this 
i# 



VI PREFACE. 

way I have hoped that many of the common things 
of nature might be stamped with thought ; some of 
these thoughts are, perhaps, above the comprehension 
of children ; such I hope may suggest to older persons 
the vast capacity of the teacher which I have pre- 
sented, and lead them to unravel its deeper mysteries. 
In many cases I might have brought from the outward 
world proofs in regard to revelation ; but that was 
taking too high and at the same time an unnecessary 
subject for the study of a child. In one or two cases 
I have made nature explain or exemplify the truths 
of revealed religion ; but my great desire, throughout 
the whole, has been to lead both teachers and chil- 
dren to study the works of God ; and when I consider 
the greatness of the undertaking to which I have put 
my hand, viz., the interpretation of these works, I 
feel that my design is but poorly accomplished. I 
have hardly opened the portal to this magnificent 
treasure-house, and it is full of the highest and purest 
blessings. While writing these few pieces I have 
learned the powerful influence of nature upon the 
mind, and I can say from experience that its study 
cannot fail to make us more spiritually-minded, more 
devout worshippers of the power we so continually 



PREFACE. Vll 

trace, and more humble Christians. That this little 
book may lead others to the same study, and to the 
realization of a still deeper and happier experience, is 
the earnest prayer of 

The Author. 




CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

The Forget-me-not, ----- 9 

The Songs of Earth, 12 

The Drop of Rain, 17 

The Star, 19 

The Dew-drop, - - - - - - 20 

The Thistle and the Rose, 23 

The Fir Tree, 26 

The Waxberry and the Strawberry, - 27 

The Thorn, 30 

Sunset, ------- 32 

The Clouds, -------34 

The Evening Dew and Morning Vapor, - 35 

The Zephyr, 37 

The Forest Leaves, ----- 42 



X CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

The Wild Flowers, - - - - - 44 

Day and Night, ._-... 47 

The Rivulet, -.■■■- - - - - 49 

The Rainbow, ------ 51 

The Flower Seed, - - - - - 54 

The Camomile, - - - - - - 57 

The Blue Harebell, - - - - - 61 

Light, - - - - - - - 63 

Snow, -65 

The Sleep of Winter, 68 

The Music of Nature, - - - - 70 

The Butterfly and the Bee, 73 

The Sunbeam, - - - - - - 75 

The Thunder-storm, 79 

God's Greatness, - - - - - 81 



TU 



»p»&£ ®$ Mm®m 



THE 



TEACHINGS OF NATURE 



"Let all thy works praise thee, Lord." — King David. 

"Mother, this flower's winning name, 
The sweet Forget-me-not, 
Seems for some absent one to claim 
Never to be forgot. 

"And though I know God made the flower, 
And painted it so blue, 
I never thought until this hour 
Perhaps he named it too." 



10 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

" O no, my child, this name might fall 
With equal truth and power, 
On every plant, both great and small, 
On every tree and flower. 

" For O, in all earth's varied clime 
We cannot find a spot 
But where God says, by works sublime, 
£ My child, forget me not. 

" e My power has placed the ocean's bound, 
My strength the mountains set, 
And decked with flowers the earth around ; 
And can you then forget? 

" ' I gave the birds to sing to thee, 
The trees to give thee shade, 
And hoped each gift would wake in thee 
A thought of him who made.' 

" Then let us learn, my child, to love 
These gifts of God aright, 
J3o that each little flower shall prove 
A messenger of light. 



THE FORGET-ME-NOT 



1! 



" Then shall we ever keep in view, 
Whate'er may be our lot, 
Gifts which shall hold our memory true, 
And God be unforgot." 




12 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE 



®l)£ Songs of €artl). 



There are, it may be, many kinds of voices in the -world, 
and none of them is without signification. — St. Paul. 



If every flower and tree had tongue, 
And we could hear the song they sung. 
And if, in mingling with the birds, 
They all should learn to speak in words, 
How sweet a song of love and praise 
Would earth in varied accents raise ; 
How man would long to join the strain, 
And grieve to find it all in vain, — 
And weep to think, when all rejoice, 
That sin and shame must hush his voice. 
But sin and shame have closed the ear, 
Which else might all this music hear; 
And now, unnoticed by the soul, 
These strains of thrilling music roll. 



THE SONGS OF EARTH. 13 

But let us try and draw aside 
This veil of sin, and doubt, and pride, 
And listen to the voice of song, 
That floats in every breeze along. 

The stormy whirlwind, hurrying past, 
Seems like a trumpet's angry blast; 
And here no dull-eared worshipper 
Need ask for its interpreter. 

" Ye have enough of the winning love 

Of your Father, and your God ; 
There ? s justice in his throne above, 

By which ye must be awed. 
And vengeance, too, will he sternly use, 

With his kingly, mighty power; 
Beware ! I warn you not to refuse 

The love of his gentler hour." 

The sea with its roar, as it lashed the shore, 
Sang a song man loved not to hear ; 

For he seemed to say, as he turned away, 
" You speak too plainly of fear. 

When I bend before my God, and adore, 
And trustingly look above, 

2# 



14 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

I should not dare to seek him in prayer, 
If I could not do it in love." 

The lark, while mounting from her nest on 

high, 
To bathe her wing in the sunny sky, 
Throws down to man a proof of her care, 
And offers to bear his message there. 

" Utter your prayers, ye faithless men, 

Doubt not they' 11 reach the sky ; 
I '11 bear them up on my wings, and then 

Bring down the swift reply. 
I love to float in the purer air, 

Far, far, from the earth away ; 
O strange that you so seldom by prayer 

In that higher realm will stay." 

" Trusting myself," said the vine, " I should 

stay, i 
Bound by my weakness to earth and to clay ; 
But gathering strength from a mightier hand, 
Supported in beauty and power I stand ; 
And I say to the weak, O never despair, 
If you long for a higher state, repair 



THE SONGS OF EARTH. 15 

To a Saviour's power, who '11 gladly bestow, 
When thy earnest, believing prayer shall flow, 
The greatest blessing thy soul can crave, — 
That soul from its earth-born state to save." 

"I have reached my home, so happy and 
bright," 

Sang the heaven-aspiring bird ; 
And the echo rang from height to height, 

And faintly by man was heard ; 
" I have reached my home, and my weary 
wing 

Is now for ever at rest ; 
O sweet are the songs I have learned to sing, 

And happy and safe my nest." 

" You are far away," said a child at play, 

" But I shall rise higher than you ; 
Your home, though high, is beneath the sky, 

But mine is a great way through ; 
You can delight in your craggy height, 

And rejoice in your earthly rest ; 
Bat I can aspire to a heaven higher, 

To a home supremely blest." 



16 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

And man, do you hear the warning call 
That 's uttered so loud by the waterfall ? 

" Make haste, make haste, let your work be 

done, 
For the stream of time is hurrying on ; 
Make haste, make haste, for its current is 

strong, 
And ye must be borne by that current along." 

I have said enough ; these songs, so clear, 
Need but a meek, attentive ear ; 
And hearts that are attuned aright, 
Find nature's book a book of light, 
And gather from its glowing page 
A heart-rejoicing heritage. 




THE DROP OF RAIN. 17 



3ttje JBrqj of ftaitt. 

A little drop, while falling to earthy 
From its home in the distant sky, 

As it sadly left the place of its birth, 
On the cold, damp ground to lie, 

Grieved o'er its low and distressing fall, 

O'er its sad, unhappy fate, 
When a cheerful neighbor bid him recall 

His hasty words, and to wait. 

He waited, and soon a sunbeam's light 

Flashed on his downward way, 
And a rainbow, beautiful, clear and bright, 
% Now made him wish to stay. 



18 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

" O, wonderful beauty," the murmurer cried, 
" What magic power is thine ? " 

" That wonderful beauty," his friend replied, 
" Is yours as well as mine." 

Onward he went, and a violet's leaf 
By his pressure he gently bowed ; 

O thought he then, with a shade of grief, 
Of his far off home in the cloud ? 

The sun arose with its glorious light, 
And all nature joined in her lays ; 

And the dew-drop offered its humble mite, 
And ascended to heaven in praise. 




THE S TAR. 19 



% Star. 



The trembling voice of a distant star, 

Listening we seem to hear; 
For it comes, though its home is away so far, 

With its teaching, plain and clear. 

" The beauties of earth are rich to my sight, 

As I take my nightly course ; 
And I hear, with more than human delight, 

Earth's many tongues discourse. 

" But when I think of the glories above, 

Contrasted with those below, 
I pity the mortal whose blinded love 

Leads him down to darkness and woe." 



20 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 



<% JBeto^kop. 



'May tbe beauty of the Lord our God be upon us." 

King David. 



" The trees are hung with pearls to-day, 
Pray, mother, come and see; 
They seem to dance on every spray, 
As bright as they can be. 

" They 're nothing, true, but drops of rain, 
Although they look so bright, 
For see, they look like drops again, 
When I impede the light." 

" O, rather see, my child, what grace 
To every drop is given, 
To show within its tiny face 
The counterpart of heaven. 



THE DE W-DRO P. 21 

"I'll tell thee what it longs to say, 
My little child, to thee ; 
And what its heaven-borrowed ray 
Is urging thee to be. 

" ' O thou art frail as I, and show 
No beauty of thine own ; 
But Heaven such beauties can bestow 
As earth has never known. 

" ' You, little child, who gaze on me, 
And envy me my light, 
Must learn that there is still for thee 
A beauty far more bright. 

" ' For I reflect the outward sky, 
Oft filled with storm and shade ; 
You must reflect the God on high, 
Who you and all things made. 

" < The beauties of thy God can shine 
Faintly, my child, in thee ; 
Then let each simple act of thine 
Speak forth his purity. 



22 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

" ' O catch the rays he '11 gladly pour 
Upon thy willing soul ; 
And show, by all thy little store, 
The beauty of the whole. 

" ' I show his condescending care, 
And you his highest love ; 
My praise but lingers on the air, — 
Yours will be heard above.' 

"And yours, sweet dew-drop, not in vain 
Has taken words to-day, 
For mine shall mingle in the strain, 
And bear it on its way. 

"And thy sweet song shall often speak 
To my remembering heart ; 
And when desires have grown too weak. 
New vigor shall impart." 



THE THISTLE AND THE ROSE. 23 



Stye Stytetle emir % ftostf. 

" I rejoice to see you, my sister dear, 
And seek your friendship again ; 

'T is a shame that those related so near 
No friendly tie should retain. " 

And the thistle drew near, and roughly tried 

To salute the rose that grew at its side. 

"My sister! " the wonder-struck rose replied, 
" I do not regard you as such ; " 

And gently turning her face aside, 
Recoiled from its piercing touch. 

But the thistle held out its thorny hand, 

And seemed to speak in a tone of command. 



24 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

"And so you would scorn your sister. Miss 
Rose, 
Because she was not born 
With beauty like yours : our sisterhood grows 

From another source, the thorn ; 
For you cannot conceal, though I know 

you Ve tried, 
The long, sharp thorn that grows from your 
side." 

" I own, with grief, which I must reveal, 

That what you say is quite true ; 
And when I think of my thorn, I feel 
That my charms are still too few ; 
And I try to give a sweeter perfume, 
And to throw on my cheek a brighter bloom ; 
And many a friend is willing to take 
A thorn, for the sweet return I make." 

The thistle had answered this meek reproof, 
For she tossed her crimson head, 

When a listening bluebell, standing aloof, 
Bent forward her leaves, and said : 

" One failing can easily be forgiven, 
When a cluster of virtues tell 



THE THISTLE AND THE ROSE. 25 

How long and patiently we J ve striven 

To live and to labor well. 
But when failings are made to foster our pride, 
Rebuke cannot then be too sternly applied ; 
And our boast should be, in resembling 

another, 
That we own the beauties we see in our 
brother." 

3# 




26 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 



Stye Six ®ra. 



My head will almost reach the cloud, 

My feet stand firm and sure ; 
And when the tempest screams aloud, 

I still shall stand secure ; 
For rooted in the solid truth, 

And reaching up to heaven, 
I know that fresh and blooming youth 

Will constantly be given. 



THE WAXBERRY AND STRAWBERRY. 27 



<&l)t iltebmrg ani % 0trat»bjerrg. 



BEAUTY INEEKIOR TO USEFULNESS. 

The waxberry hung its snowy balls 

Above a strawberry -bed ; 
And ever anon a white pearl falls 

Among the strawberries red. 

"As we 're equal in form and beauty too, 
Although I grow on a tree, [through, 

I '11 break," said the fair one, " all etiquette 
And make a visit to thee." 

" I greet you kindly, my lovely friend, 
And your call with gladness receive ; 

Yet why you think that you condescend, 
I own I cannot perceive. 



28 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

" You blossom above, 't is very true, — 
Our Maker has placed you there ; 

And that you so fair and beautiful grow 
You owe alone to his care. 

" The greater the light that falls on your state, 
The greater the good you can do ; 

This only, my friend, can make you great, 
And prove an advantage true. 

" But if duties by you are left undone, 

If your cares are all forgot, 
You '11 lament at last your brighter sun, 

Your high but fatal lot. 

"And I, if I ripen my fruit on the ground, 
In clusters invitingly sweet, [crowned, 

With the greater good my life shall be 
Though I grow beneath your feet." 

The waxberry heard this kind address, 
To which she had given the text, 

And hearing a footfall near her press, 
She feared what was coming next. 



THE WAX BERRY AND STRAWBERRY. 29 

O sadly now she grieved at the fall 

So great to her foolish pride, 
And vainly wished the light to recall 

Of the truth she could not hide. 

For a passer-by saw the strawberry red, 

And as he hastily tried 
To reach the prize, he crushed in his tread 
. The profitless berry beside. 

" I grieve for her fate," the strawberry said, 
As it graced the banquet store ; 

" But as she was useless, living or dead, 
She needed to live no more. 

" Her beauty, indeed, was sweet to the sight, 

But beauty alone cannot give, 
To those who admire it, a real delight, 

Or the owner a claim to live. 

"But if while living we spend our breath 

In duty and friendship sincere, 
Many a one will be found at our death 

To shed o'er our grave a tear." 



30 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE 



®t)e Sljont. 



'And the soldiexs platted a crown of thorns, and put it 
on his head." — St. John. 



Our Saviour wore a crown of thorn. 

With not one rose entwined ; 
And more did this sad crown adorn 

Than that he left behind. 
And gladly did he press it there 

Upon his godlike brow, 
Knowing that in our path, more fair, 

Would bloom the roses now. 

O when we grasp the fragrant flowers 
That throw such beauty round, 

And murmur, midst our blushing bowers, 
That still a thorn is found, 



THE THORN 



31 



O let us think of him who wore 
The thorn, without the rose, 

And bear, as patiently he bore, 
Our fewer, lighter woes. 




32 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE, 



Snmtt 



" O ! see the sky is very bright, 
And all the clouds are red, 
And there is still a lingering light, 
Although the sun is fled. 

" I dread to see the night appear, 
But yet it so beguiles, 
That I forget my doubt and fear, 
And greet it with my smiles. 

" Why is the sun's expiring ray 
So fraught with calm delight? 
And why alone at close of day 
Sheds he his sweetest light ? ' ; 



SUNSET. 33 

'T was thus my Mary thought at night. 

And thus did gently say, 
And then she looked beyond that sight, 

And knelt her down to pray. 

She prayed to him who gave the light, 

And her the power to love ; 
For she had learned that all delight 

Came from her God above. 

She thanked him for the lesson taught 

By that sweet twilight hour, 
And prayed that o'er her future thought 

It might not lose its power. 

She prayed that all her life might shine 

Clear as that cloudless sky, 
And still its light grow more divine, 

When she was called to die ; — 

And when she laid her down to rest, 
When all her work was done, 

She had learned a lesson pure and blest 
From that^declining sun. 



34 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE 



We thank thee, kind cloud, for thy friendly- 
shower 

On this sultry summer day ; 
It falls so refreshing on grass and flower, 

And paints them so fresh and gay. 

" O thank not me, but look farther above, 
Far up through my dusky form, 

To the power who guides, in infinite love, 
The lightning, thunder and storm." 



EVENING DEW AND MORNING VAPOR. 35 



Stye (Setting Bm anb Jttormng frapor. 



How gently falls the dew at night, 

So silent and alone ; 
How patient till the morrow's light 

Shall make its beauties known. 

And then how fervently ascend, 
With every morning's light, 

Thanks for the blessings which descend 
So silently at night. 

How lovingly doth heaven give 

Her blessings from above ; 
How gratefully doth earth receive, 

And offer love for love. 



36 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE 

O many a gift the heavens give 

To us, if we discern ; 
Let earth then teach us to receive, 

And how we can return. 

And for the gentle twilight dew, 
Which every morn displays, 

Let us our gratitude renew, 
And early offering raise. 




THE ZEPHYR. 37 



<£l)e &pf)2r. 



THE FOWEB OE GENTLENESS. 

The King of the wind once sent a warm 
breeze 
To sing a song of love to the trees, 
To woo the flowers by its genial air, 
To trust their graceful forms to his care, 
To adorn all nature with beauty and light, 
And to bring him word when all was right. 
For he had determined, so long confined, 
He 'd take a gallop, this angry wind ; 
But he bid his servant be sure and display 
All nature robed for a gala day. 
The gentle messenger hied him away, 
Yet needed not long at his task to stay, 



38 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

For his winning voice brought out the flowers, 
And his presence alone could deck the bowers. 
All earth was rejoiced to see his face, 
And he left behind him a beautiful trace 
Of flowers and grass, in every place. 
He breathed on the skies, and a sunny blue 
Over the arch of heaven flew ; 
And if he but shed a single tear, 
A brilliant rainbow would soon appear. 
He found the earth in her saddest gloom ; 
He left her dressed in her richest bloom, 
And sped him back to his master's throne, 
To tell him the trees and flowers were blown, 
That all was clothed in its robe of spring, 
Ready to hail its mighty king. 

The bustle, the noise, the stir, was great, 
And the king appeared in his robe of state, 
Surrounded by all the pomp and pride [ride. 
Which his majesty shows when he takes a 
But this king was not in a pleasant vein, 
For he spurred his steed, and grasped his rein, 
And bid his gallants keep close beside, 
For he must move fast when he went to ride, 
And earth and nature should tremble, and own 
His kingly power, with mighty groan. 



THE ZEPHYE. 39 

The young breeze saw, with a gentle sigh. 
The fiery king and his train pass by, 
And waited, with trembling fear and concern, 
The time when his angry lord should return. 

He came, but O, so cold was his breath, 
It almost chilled the poor zephyr to death. 
He spoke in scorn, and his words were 

rough, — 
" Do you make your springs of such blighted 

stuff? 
Do you cause your flowers to lie on the ground, 
And your trees to give such a mournful sound ? 
Do you make your skies so dark, that the sun 
Is compelled to leave his work undone ; 
If black is the color you love the best, 
In black I will speedily have you dressed." 

The sweet reply of the zephyr fell 
Like the waking notes of a tuneful swell, 
And hushed, by its truthful power alone, 
The sounding blast of his master's tone. 
" The beauty, my lord, which my smile 

produced, 
Is soon by your majesty's frown reduced ; 



40 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

Nor can I create a single flower 
Prepared to withstand your angry power. 
And the zephyr tried with his healing breath 
To revive the flowers from their icy death ; 
They sprang from the frozen earth, and smiled, 
And the sun returned with a face so mild, 
That the king replied, in a gentler tone, 
" Thy power is great, and I freely own 
That the force of love is more than my own. 
Henceforth thy place shall be next to mine, 
For the power of that place is already thine ; 
Henceforth with thee I '11 divide the year, 
And give up a part of my kingdom of fear ; 
Together we '11 reign, though different still 
Is the object and aim of our kingly will ; 
For thou wilt rule with the wand of light, 
And I with the rod of storm and might ; 
Thy work shall be, to create and bestow, 
And mine, to blast, destroy and o'erthrow ; 
Thy reign shall be hailed with joy and delight, 
And mine with feelings of sorrow and fright ; 

And though thy presence will always pour 
Contempt and hatred on mine the more, 
Yet I love thee well, though I scorn to share 
In thy winning voice and thy sunny air." 



THE ZEPHYR 



41 



The words are true, for the zephyr's power 
Is loved, though it last but a single hour ; 
And we look with dread on the tyrant's reign, 
That brings the snow and ice in his train. 
And gentleness always will win the soul, 
Though 'twould blush to bend to a stern 
control. 




42 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE 



®l)c Joxtzt ftzavts. 



The forest leaves wave proud and high, 
And through the summer touch the sky, 

Forgetful of their doom ; 
But though they looked so fresh and green, 
Yet in the autumn it is seen 

They waved above their tomb. 

The winter's chilly breath passed by, 
And then they left their homes on high, 

With blush of crimson dyed ; 
Too high they soared, too low they fell, 
And the hoarse winds too roughly tell 

The story of their pride. 



THE FOREST LEAVES 



43 



Not so with us, of lowly birth, 
And real, unpretending worth, 

Not such shall be our end ; 
But rising, with each rising sun, 
With life well spent, when life is done, 

We shall in hope ascend. 




44 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 



% tUUb Jloroors. 

OR KIND WORDS. 

A thousand little flowers will spring 

Around one tree. 
And beauty with its shadow fling, 

Kindly and free. 

And flower and tree would seem to say, 

United thus, 
" Your lives can be a summer's day, 

Living like us." 

And should we blend the great and sweet 

Together so, 
Pleasures would spring around our feet, 

Rejoiced to grow. 



THE WILD FLOWERS. 45 

For greatness would not lose its power 

To yield to less ; 
And joys that wither in an hour 

Have power to bless. 

The purest actions always need 

A loving word ; 
O, life would scarce be life indeed, 

Were this not heard. 

And thousands, too, should bloom around 

Our daily toil ; — 
Thank God, these flowers of life are found 

On every soil. 

Nor think our breath is vainly spent 
While speaking these ; 

Why were the sweet, bright flowers sent 
If not to please ? 

And loving words possess the power 
Of these wild flowers ; 

Cheating from life's painful dower 
The darkest hours. 



46 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

And did they spring as freely round 

Our onward way, 
Tell me, would not life be found 

A summer's day? 




DAY AND NIGHT. 47 



JUag anir Jftgljt. 



Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night 
showeth knowledge." — King David. 



O nature never stops her song 
Of praise, through day or night ; 

The weak still borrows from the strong 
And learns the tune aright. 

The day, with plain and earnest speech, 

Proclaims a God of power ; 
And night can equal lessons teach 

By her impressive hour. 

O think how great and strong is he 

Who made the rising sun ; 
How wonderful the majesty 

That spake, and it was done. 



48 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

The moon, — how kind and good is he 

Who bade its gentle light 
To shine, so generous and free, 

To beautify the night. 

The stars, — O what can tell his care, 

What fully speak his love ? 
So many glories thus to spare 

To shadow those above. 

The earth, she, too, in beauty dressed, 

Doth loudly seem to tell, 
Although beneath a curse oppressed, 

That he hath made it well. 

Sun, moon and stars, we listen still 

To your primeval song, 
And mourn that we have spurned his will, 

And filled this world with wrong. 



THE RIVULET. 49 



5% Eumkt 



why do you murmur, sweet rivulet, say, 
As you bound like myself along ? 

Restrain, I pray, your complaints to-day, 
For I wish to join your song. 

" Complain ! my song is a song of love, 

As I run between my banks, 
While to the trees that wave kindly above 

I constantly carol my thanks. 

" Complain ! when the flowers that grow at 
my side 
Mirror their forms on my breast ; 

1 feel, as I clasp them in conscious pride, 

Too glad and happy to rest. 

5# 



50 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

" O let us rejoice in our being, and raise 
A grateful song to the giver ; 

And we will not cease to sing his praise, 
Who hath made both man and river." 




THE RAINBOW. 51 



&t)e ftambotn. 



a Why, mother, was the rainbow given, 
And placed so far away ? 
And why in that dark arch of heaven 
Does it no longer stay ? 

" It only comes in storm and rain, 

And then it seems to say, 

I 'm sure I will not come again, 

You treat me so ill to-day. 

"And then it goes away and stays, 
Until another shower 
Calls forth again its welcome rays, — 
Its sweet and gentle power. 



52 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

" How sad to know this brilliant light 
Must die amidst the rain ; 
Mother, to see this charming sight 
I 'd call the storm again." 

" But do you, child, interpret right 
The lesson it would teach? 
For plain its moral, though its light 
Is far beyond your reach. 

" It comes, you say, in storm and rain, 
And that would seem to show 
There 's some relief to every pain 
Which we are doomed to know. 

" It says we need not fear the rain, 
For soon the shower shall cease ; 
And then the sun will come again, 
And give us light and peace. 

"And though in future years you '11 learn 
That all this world is grief, 
Yet often will this bow return, 
And give you sweet relief. 



THE RIVULET. 53 

"And O, my child, when sorrow's hour 
Has taught you doubt and fear, 
You '11 know how welcome is the power 
That wipes away the tear. 

"And truly will you bless the love 
That pours the brightest ray 
That ever falls from heaven above, 
.Upon the darkest day. 

"And see, besides, that brilliant bow 

In heaven alone doth shine ; 
And there, whence all true pleasures flow, 
Learn early to draw thine. 

"And then amidst each shower of grief 
A rainbow will appear, 
With its bright promise give relief, 
And dry each falling tear. 

"Now never will you ask again 
Why was its beauty given ; 
Nor why it does so fixed remain 
Amidst the storms in heaven." 



54 THE TEACHINGS OF NATUE 



Slje Jlomer Sab. 

"If a man die, shall he live again?" — Job. 

" Charley, my dear, in the early spring. 
When I made my garden bed, 
You laughed at my doing so strange a thing 
As planting seeds that were dead. 

"And you were sure I never should see 
The leaves come bursting out ; 
For O you thought how strange it would be 
If all those seeds should sprout. 

" I told you to wait till the gentle dew, 
The sunshine, and the shower, 
Had shown us all that they could do 
To draw from the seed the flower. 



THE FLOWER SEED. 55 

"And do n't you remember, after a while 

I wished you to come and see [smile, 
My garden bed, and you asked, with a 
Where all those seeds could be ? 

" I told you then that every seed 
Contained a living power, 
Which, from the dry envelope freed, 
.Would soon produce a flower. 

"And often since then you have watched 
my flowers, 
While growing, you knew not how ; 
But a garden stranger than these bright 
bowers 
Invites our attention now." 

And the mother led her thoughtless son 
To a gloomy burial-ground ; [on, 

And there, as they thoughtfully wandered 
A newly-made grave they found. 

Flowers were growing around the tomb, 
The rose and the scented brier ; 



56 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

And they seemed to say, by their bright., 
rich bloom. 
That a mother's love was there. 

" O Willie's grave is a beautiful place 
Now the flowers are all in bloom ; " 
And when he raised his innocent face 
It had lost its gathered gloom. 

" But the fairest flower, my Charley, dear? 
That plant has ever given, 
Will spring from the seed now buried here? 
And bloom in the bowers of heaven. 

" The harvest-day will surely appear, 
When this seed will burst the sod, 
And free from all that could mar it here? 
Shine forth by the throne of God. 



THE CAMOMILE. 57 



®t)£ (damomxU. 



" O, I am forgotten in your bouquet," 
The lowly, sweet camomile seemed to say, 
" For I have no blossom of gaudy hue 
Or gorgeous beauty to offer you ; 
My value is more to be felt than seen, 
And is often hid in my dusky green ; 
And I am sure to lie untouched at your feet 
While others are chosen not half so sweet ; 
Their colors are bright, and their forms are 

fair, 
But have they of fragrance an equal share ? " 

The camomile's low and complaining song 
Was borne by a friendly zephyr along, 



58 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

And came to the ears of a child one day, 
Who was plucking flowers for a friend's 

bouquet. 
She looked at the plant : " What claim can 

you bring 
To a place in my vase, presumptuous thing ? 
This marigold here would disdain to own 
That both in the self-same garden had grown ; 
And the larkspur, coxcomb, and fragrant rose, 
Would crimson with shame, should I once 

propose 
To place so humble a thing by their side." 
" Stay, stay, little Julia, nor rashly decide 
The place of the plant, till its worth is tried ; 
For all my power (and it blushed, the sweet 

rose,) 
Lies not in the beauty my leaves disclose ; 
But the fragrant breath I freely bestow, 
Is the reason you love me so much, I know ; 
And the little plant you so rudely scorn, 
With a much sweeter breath than mine is 

born." 
" Sweeter than yours ? " and she stooped 

down and broke 
A leaf from the lowly plant as she spoke. 



THE CAMOMILE. 59 

" You may choose your place in my dear 

bouquet, 
For I prize your fragrance more than display." 
And she plucked still more, and placed it 

around 
The showy flowers she had gathered and 

bound ; 
And a perfume came from the stems she 

crushed 
So sweet that all envious murmur was hushed ; 
And each of the flowers very wisely chose 
To offer their praise with the friendly rose. 
And Julia said, as she placed the bouquet 
In the hand of her friend, " I have learned 

to-day 
That the outward form does not always show 
The virtue that lies deeply hid below ; 
For the sweetest fragrance is often found 
In plants where beauties the least abound. 
And besides," she mused, as she turned away, 
" I have learned still more from that sweet 

bouquet ; — 
That genuine worth is the soonest to see 
The worth of another, whatever it be ; 



60 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

And the soonest, too, to lay aside 
All feelings of envy, malice and pride ; 
But that false pretence will too often use 
The weapons that real worth would refuse. 




THE BLUE HAREBELL. 61 



% Mm ffjariMl * 

" O, mother, reach those pretty flowers, 
' Those flowers of deepest blue ; 
They look as if from heavenly bowers 
They just had fallen through. 

" They seem to speak of distant bliss, 
And bend their graceful forms, 
Too tender for a world like this, 
A world so full of storms. 

" O strange that flowers so sweet and bright 
Should bloom in such a place, 
And thus their beauty give delight 
Where nothing less could grace." 



* These flowers, so delicate in their appearance, grow 

only from the rocks. 

6# 



62 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

" Not strange, my child, that rock and flower 
Should be united so ; 
But wonderfully good the power 
That made such beauty grow. 

"And very wise and kind the will 
That gave them both to earth ; 
Placed so that each increases still 
The other's real worth. 

"And see the sweetest flowerets grow 
From so secure a place ; — 
For only craggy rocks can show 
The harebell's winning grace. 

" Thus gentlest virtues ever spring 
From principles as sure ; 
Ah, happy when the soul can bring 
Foundation so secure. 

"And happy when proud man will take 
This lesson from the earth, [make 

And feel how much these sweet flowers 
Its beauty and its worth." 



LIGHT. 63 



«#• 



'I am the light of the world." — "Te are the light of the 
•world." — Jesus Chbist. 



The sunshine in its gentle fall 
Comes cheerfully alike on all ; 
The rich can never lay in store. 
The poor can never ask for more. 
The man upright in all his ways 
Is lighted by its generous rays ; 
The man of sin has still the light 
To guide him to a path of right. 
And beings that no thanks can give 
Still in the needed sunshine live ; 
And every living thing displays 
The power of these reviving rays. 

But there is a light more loved, when known. 
Than that which from the sun is thrown ; 



64 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

A light which can renew, revive, 

And keep the soul in health alive; 

A light which falls upon our hearts, 

And blessings with its rays imparts. 

But more than sunlight hath it power 

To chase away our darkest hour ; 

To change the storm-clouds, which we dread, 

To summer brightness round our head, 

And make the coldest winter day 

Pass like a dream of heaven away. 

Still more unlike the sunny light 

That makes this outward world so bright, 

This soul-light, higher in its source, 

Can give to him who feels its force, 

The power to be himself a sun, 

Like that which angels gaze upon. 

Then while each little flower looks up 

And asks the sun to fill its cup, 

We must go higher in our flight, 

And fill our souls with heavenly light, 

And bless the darkened earth around 

With sunshine that can there be found, 

And show, by rays so freely given, 

How much earth can be made like heaven. 



SNOW. 



65 



StIOtD. 



OR THE ROBE OE RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

" O see how white is the snowy dress 
The earth has put on to-day ; 
How kind and gentle its pure impress, 
So lovely without display. 

" It covers the dark and frozen ground, 
And makes it look so white, 
And scatters its feathered flakes around 
As freely as rays of light. 

" It conceals the harm the frost has done 
So roughly to tree and flower ; 
And seems a garment in heaven spun, 
By some angelic power. 



66 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

A mother hearing her little son 

So sweetly his joy express, [done, 

Thought, as she saw what the snow had 

Of the " robe of righteousness," 

And said, while the sun was making more 
bright 
The snowy mantle around, [white 

" Would you like to know where a robe as 
For you and I can be found ? 

"For sin, like the frost, has spoiled the 
flowers 
Which our hearts and lives should show ; 
Like the frozen earth, these souls of ours 
Require a garment of snow. 

"But heaven, my child, has a dress as pure 
As this for our souls to wear ; 
And every one can this garment secure, 
If he will but ask for it there. 

" This robe is worn by meekness and faith, 
Is kept by a life of prayer, — 
Is shown by doing what Jesus saith, 
With patient and trusting care. 



snow. 67 

" 0,Willie, there's a robe for children to wear, 
Lasting through ages untold ; 
And not a stain will its beauty impair, 
For it never can grow old. 

"And dressed in this robe of a Saviour's love 

When summoned before his throne, 
His Father will greet us in realms above, 
As children of his own. 

"And as he may call you in childhood's day 

To stand before him there, 
Begin, my dear little boy, I pray, 
Even now this robe to wear." 




68 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 



®t)e 0kqj of tD inter. 



" Is the earth dead, mother ? 
Or does she sleep ? 
And will she ever wake 
From rest so deep ? " 

" We labor for a day, 
And then we rest ; 
So earth with summer's work 
Becomes oppressed. 

" Her duty being done, 
She seeks repose, 
While we lament and grieve 
Over her snows. 



THE SLEEP OF WINTER 



69 



" 'T were well if we, like her, 
When life is spent, 
Could lay our task aside, 
With calm content, 

"And wrap, in joyful hope, 
Our mantle round, 
And gently lay us down 
To sleep as sound. 




70 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 



®lj€ Mnsk of Nature. 



No speech nor language, yet their voice is heard, 

Ktsg David. 



The earth is filled with harmonious sound, 

Diffused like the light and air ; 
And the listening ear hath ever found 

Rich melody every where. 

Earth's silent things are never so mute 

As man is wont to believe ; 
They 're strings of a strange, mysterious lute, 

All waiting a touch to receive. 

And the Christian's heart, as it strikes the lyre, 
Can drink in its uttered tone, 



THE MUSIC OF NATURE. 71 

And feel, as it wafts the spirit higher, 
How much there is yet unknown. 

How sweet, on a quiet summer's night, 

To hear this music ascend, 
And feel, as all things are bringing their mite, 

How tunefully they blend. 

The breath of the night-wind fans the leaves, 
And asks the help of their lays ; 

And soon from each different tree receives 
A different note of praise. 

The river keeps on its changeless roar 
Like a key-note deep and strong ; 

And the bubbling brook, it giveth still more 
The very motion of song. 

The low, sweet hum of the roving bee, 

The buzz of the restless fly, 
The chirp of the cricket, so loud and free, 

All make sweet melody. 



72 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

And that starry lyre that spans the earth, 

With its far-reaching line,* 
Has sent forth since creation's birth, 

A music all divine. 

That glorious harp, at night revealed 

To man's adoring eye, 
Hath yet from a listening world concealed 

Its richest melody. 

Yet while its glorious strains can fill 
That higher world with bliss, 

Some notes, not needed there, give still 
Much melody to this. 

Earth's single strain, I love it well ; 

'T is music to my soul ; 
But with what bliss my heart will swell 

When I shall hear the whole. 



*" Their line (i. e., note, sound) is gone out through all 
the earth, and their words to the end of the world." 

Psalm 19: 4. 



THE BUTTERFLY AND THE BEE. 73 



3U)e Dtrtteflg anir % 3te. 



SELFISHNESS THE CAUSE OF UNHAPPINESS. 

The butterfly roamed from flower to flower, 
But found satisfaction in none ; 

There was not one in garden or bower 
That could give him content alone. 

While spending his time in the vain essay 
To find somewhere a place of rest, 

A happy bee was bearing away 
A burden of sweets in her breast. 

" I wish, friend bee, you would tell me why 

You seem so full of delight ; 
I cannot, although I 'm sure I try, 

Feel half so happy and bright. 

7* 



74 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

" The secret/' said she, " of ray happiness lies 

In being so fully employed ; 
For time that is spent in idleness dies, 

And leaves no moments enjoyed. 

" The flowers are all delighted to give 

The honey for which I ask ; 
And the busy life I always live 

Seems far from being a task. 

" Go work all day, and try to bestow 

On others some happiness too ; 
And you will find your own bosom will glow, 

With a pleasure always new." 

The butterfly turned away from the friend 

That gave him advice so true, 
But did not at all his manners amend, 

But did as he used to do. 

And still he roams from flower to flower, 

So selfish in every call ; 
But the bee, unwearied, from hour to hour 

Still gathers honey from all. 



THE SUNBEAM. 75 



STIje Stmbmm. 



OR THE PLEASURE OF GIVING. 



" It is hard to leave a home like mine, 
So cheerful, serene and bright, 

And every day for others to shine, 
Thus giving away my light. 

" It is hard to give my light and heat, 

And never to meet return ; 
For that always giving is so very sweet, 

Is a lesson I cannot learn." 

It was thus a sunbeam said, yet his light 
So well concealed his dark thought, 

That all things in this earthly night 
The joy of his presence sought. 



76 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

" How sweet is the light of this sunny day," 
The children thoughtlessly sang ; 

And as they bounded in joyous play, 
Their voices right merrily rang. 

" How grateful to me is this summer light," 
Said a man of threescore years ; 

" It seems to brighten decaying sight, 
And to drive away my fears ; 

" It brings my childhood's more innocent day 

Once more to this aged heart, 
And seems, with its almost forgotten ray, 

Youth's cheerfulness to impart." 

" We '11 sing thee a song for thy welcome 
light, 

Sang a thousand grateful birds ; 
And their tuneful voices spoke delight 

As plain as human words. 

" I '11 give thee my tears," said a violet blue ; 

" They 're nectar," the sunbeam cried, 
As it drank up the tiny drops of dew 

That in vain its grace would hide. 



THE SUNBEAM. 77 

" I offer my leaves for a friendly kiss/' 

Said a modest, blushing rose ; 
And the sunbeam tasting its fragrant bliss ? 

There wished for a long repose. 

All earth with its varied voices rang, 

To salute the sunbeam's light, 
That now on its course rejoicing, sang 

Of the power to give delight. 

And the song it sang on its onward way 
I pray that each child may learn : — 

" I 've tried, and found, that giving away 
Brings with it a sweet return ; 

" To cause a smile, or to dry a tear, 
Or to lighten a darkened heart ; 

To raise a hope, or relieve a fear, 
Or bid one shadow depart, 

" Is joy the greatest that ever on earth 

To a living thing is given ; 
For it comes unsullied in its birth, 

As the purest gift from heaven. 



78 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

"And in all my future days I '11 live 

For this highest, truest joy ; 
And all my thoughts and my talents give 

To this angelic employ," 

And the sunbeam danced upon its way 
With a warmer, clearer light, 

Receiving and giving with every ray 
An ever-increasing delight. 






»W << 



THE THUNDER-STORM. 79 



<ft()c ®l)tmba>st0rm. 



Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and not 
evil ? " — Job. 



Lucy sat at her mother's side, 

And watched the waving trees, . 

Whose bending branches sadly sighed, 
Touched by the stormy breeze. 

She almost trembled as she heard 

The thunder's distant roar, 
And hardly dared to speak a word 

As the clouds began to lower. 

But when the lightning's dazzling flash 
Came on so fast and thick, 

And when the nearer thunder's crash 
Followed, so deep and quick, 



80 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

She could not hide her secret fear, 

But with a simple thought 
Drawing her mother's arms more near, 

She there for shelter sought. 

But soon the storm passed off; the sky 

Assumed a brighter hue ; 
While the hoarse winds in cadence die, 

And zephyrs sing anew. 

Then Lucy, like a happy bird, 

Felt the returning light ; [word, 

And showed, by thoughtless laugh and 

Her innocent delight. 

" How glad the little birds must be 

To think the storm is done ; 
How joyfully from every tree 

They greet the cheering sun." 

£ - Their songs are sweet," her mother said ; 

" But Lucy, 't is in praise 
To Him who turned the storm aside 

That they their anthems raise. 



THE THUNDER-STORM. 81 

"And should not they, who deeper feel 

The pleasure and the pain, 
Their heartfelt gratitude reveal 

For mercies sent again ? 

" Should you, who felt the greatest fear, 

No grateful tribute bring ? 
Should you, whose joy is more sincere, 
■ Refuse your offering ? " 

And Lucy owned that far too true 
Were these mild, chiding words ; 

And willingly in future drew 
A lesson from the birds ; 

She learned, like them, to fear no ill, 

Sure of her Father's care ; 
But raise, with more devotion still, 

Her grateful praise and prayer. 




82 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 



(BoVb ®rmttt£00. 



" Canst thou by searching find out God? " — Job. 
" The only "begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the 
Father, he hath declared him." — St. John. 



We have seen thy works, O God, and read 
The greatness of thy power ;— 

Our wonder, love and praise are fed 
By bird, and tree, and flower. 

We have deeply felt that all unknown 

Thy ways to us must be ; 
And plainly hath creation shown 

That we must bow to thee ; 

Bow to the sceptre of thy power, 

The mandate of thy will, 
And feel, in each successive hour, 

That thou art reigning still. 



god's greatness. 83 

Thy purposes are still the same 

As on creation's morn ; 
And praise each rising sun should claim 

As if 't were newly born. 

To understand thy works around 

In vain our souls have tried ; 
And studying thee, O God, we 've found 

The folly of our pride. 

We cannot tell how one small flower 

Or little worm is made ; 
But O, the wonders of thy power 

Have made our souls afraid. 

We 've sought in vain thy dwelling-place, 

We 've never seen thy form, 
But as thy angry breath we trace 

The whirlwind and the storm. 

We 've never, never found thee out, 

We know not where to seek ; 
Dark clouds encompass thee about, 

And low doth nature speak. 



84 THE TEACHINGS OF NATURE. 

If left to read thy works alone, 

How sad would be our lot ; 
Unlighted by thy word, we own, 

O God, we know thee not. 

But O, we thank thee, that while doubt 
Darkened the path we trod, 

Thou from thy bosom didst send out 
One to declare our God. 

Now God is known ; O now how plain 

Doth nature's page appear ; 
And as we read it o'er again, 

We lose our doubt and fear. 

We joy to own the love and care 
That now we round us see ; 

And gladly through thy works repair, 
Our Father, God, to thee. 




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